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INFJ Strengths and Weaknesses

INFJ Strengths

Creative – Combining a vivid imagination with a strong sense of compassion, INFJs use their creativity to resolve not technical challenges, but human ones. People with the INFJ personality type enjoy finding the perfect solution for someone they care about, and this strength makes them excellent counselors and advisors.

Insightful – Seeing through dishonesty and disingenuous motives, INFJs step past manipulation and sales tactics and into a more honest discussion. INFJs see how people and events are connected, and are able to use that insight to get to the heart of the matter.

Inspiring and Convincing – Speaking in human terms, not technical, INFJs have a fluid, inspirational writing style that appeals to the inner idealist in their audience. INFJs can even be astonishingly good orators, speaking with warmth and passion, if they are proud of what they are speaking for.

Decisive – Their creativity, insight and inspiration are able to have a real impact on the world, as INFJs are able to follow through on their ideas with conviction, willpower, and the planning necessary to see complex projects through to the end. INFJs don’t just see the way things ought to be, they act on those insights.

Determined and Passionate – When INFJs come to believe that something is important, they pursue that goal with a conviction and energy that can catch even their friends and loved ones off guard. INFJs will rock the boat if they have to, something not everyone likes to see, but their passion for their chosen cause is an inseparable part of their personality.

Altruistic – These strengths are used for good. INFJs have strong beliefs and take the actions that they do not because they are trying to advance themselves, but because they are trying to advance an idea that they truly believe will make the world a better place.

INFJ Weaknesses

Sensitive – When someone challenges or criticizes INFJs’ principles or values, they are likely to receive an alarmingly strong response. People with the INFJ personality type are highly vulnerable to criticism and conflict, and questioning their motives is the quickest way to their bad side.

Extremely Private – INFJs tend to present themselves as the culmination of an idea. This is partly because they believe in this idea, but also because INFJs are extremely private when it comes to their personal lives, using this image to keep themselves from having to truly open up, even to close friends. Trusting a new friend can be even more challenging for INFJs.

Perfectionistic – INFJs are all but defined by their pursuit of ideals. While this is a wonderful quality in many ways, an ideal situation is not always possible – in politics, in business, in romance – and INFJs too often drop or ignore healthy and productive situations and relationships, always believing there might be a better option down the road.

Always Need to Have a Cause – INFJs get so caught up in the passion of their pursuits that any of the cumbersome administrative or maintenance work that comes between them and the ideal they see on the horizon is deeply unwelcome. INFJs like to know that they are taking concrete steps towards their goals, and if routine tasks feel like they are getting in the way, or worse yet, there is no goal at all, they will feel restless and disappointed.

Can Burn Out Easily – Their passion, poor patience for routine maintenance, tendency to present themselves as an ideal, and extreme privacy tend to leave INFJs with few options for letting off steam. People with this personality type are likely to exhaust themselves in short order if they don’t find a way to balance their ideals with the realities of day-to-day living.

Yeah, this is very much me! I often run into a big problem being this personality type though. TONS of people fake wanting to be friends with me, and unlike some of the less insightful personality types, I can tell how unserious they are about it, but too polite to say so! (In fact, this is my first time ever revealing this, hope u guys understand) Inside I cannot stand those people and they make me want to toss them off cliffs, but I'm always very nice to them, because if I judged them wrong and they do actually want to be my friend (about a 5% chance, but still) there are no words for how horrible I would feel about telling them about it.

Joel

2 years ago

I appreciate your comment about people being fake friends and your words about throwing them off the cliff but I'm too nice resonates with me. People often don't realize I have a BS meter because I am quiet about it

Cade

2 years ago

Precisely. However, more recently, I've found that if you embrace these friendships, half the time they actually grow into something! Give it a try

0309

2 years ago

The burnout comment is very appropriate and I have experienced it multiple times as a 28year old. Can any experienced fellow souls offer some advice?

Jane Bender

2 years ago

Just like you make time to do things you like to do, or things you need to do, make time for "recharging." My family teases me that I have a "people limit," and when I get back from a long day of nonstop social contact, I hide away and take some time to myself. Reading, or writing, or listening to music are all great options.

Anonymous

2 years ago

Found solo daily running as a great stress reliever and life-energy building time. During highly stressful times (airline pilot training) I ran every morning, even if it meant running in the cold and dark. Think it kept me sane through a very stressful time.

Anonymous

2 years ago

As a 29-year-old woman, I have dealt with the same issue many times in my life. Like other people have said, take time to 'recharge' and do solitary activities you enjoy. I've found yoga and meditation as well as gardening is great for the sensitive, introverted and nurturing aspect.

Anonymous

2 years ago

I have a bad habit of trying to do that while people are still around... Sometimes it gives a really weird false impression on people

Josh

2 years ago

Perfect

Frida Anantya

2 years ago

So I guess that's why I never felt satisfied and feel stuck with my job and daily life right now...like I'm not moving forward at all, even the workplace is nice and I know I'm climbing up my career ladder pretty good. It's just I don't find myself being helpful to others and doing something to create a better world...

Anonymous

2 years ago

INFJ, god, this is so true! I feel misunderstood all the time and have difficulty expressing myself. No one in my surroundings is even remotely near to this personality type. I love helping others and expect nothing in return. I get excited and motivated when i do something knowing that it will make some good for someone. But most people tend to think this is idiotic and being naive. They always cast me down because of my ideals. I face such dilemma, everyone seems to think that all my personality traits are wrong, all my interests are idiotic and that my existence in itself is wrong. I always have difficulty expressing myself and now is no exception. After reading some of the comments now i see there are others like me (Is this really true?!). This is so intriguing, seeing myself in others ... wow! I'm almost used to the fact that i'm always the outcast who resembles no one, the one always being ignored and it is best to mind my own business and never try to approach anyone (specially when it comes to personal interests). Reading these comments is like looking into a mirror and seeing something i have never seen before! Thank you all for leaving your comments in here. You can't, no scratch that, most probably DO understand how much i appreciate reading all these comments. I wish i could find a friend with INFJ personality type.

Scintilla

2 years ago

There are plenty of INFJs who are lost and lonely because they think differently from others. I, myself, as an INFJ have experienced your story too. People keep telling me I have to stop being so caring about people who do not treat me well. But isn't the best way to get rid of an enemy is to make them your friend? They can't seem to notice that all humans are kind in nature, instead, they judge each other. I was actually exhausted to the point where I decided I had to turn against them, since it probably won't help them to listen to what a mere teen like me would say. People tend to think that if they're older, what they do is always right. But I came into a conclusion that it's not that way, just because they're older doesn't make them always right.
I'm glad too that there are also people like me. I would like to have INFJ friends, as well. :)

Anonymous

2 years ago

HEY! I've been in your situation too, and I miraculously got out! Listen, it isn't easy at all, but here's how it went:
Back when I was in fifth grade, when all the elementary schools merged, I was extremely bullied and made fun of, because of my shyness, abounding care for others, and my morals. This continued, although less viciously, into 6th, and 7nth grades. In the Summer before 8th grade I came up with a plan. I would make every effort to rise on the social ladder, and destroy it once at the top, so that I could finally be myself in peace once it was all over. That year, Cross Country was offered as a sport. Already being an expirienced runner, I soon became the best in my grade, and better than some of the older grades. Also, the two people better than I was at playing trombone for band both dropped the class, making me pretty much King of the low brass section in our band. I never really made it much higher than that, but through my deep friendships with others, I was able to carry many people with me and show that you don't have to be mean or a jerk to get people to like you. Now I'm in 9nth grade, and although I always try to be kind and considerate to everyone, I am respected, and not nearly as many people are mean like they were before. I think a lot of it had to do with growing up, but I do think I made a difference, which is once of the happiest feelings I have ever had. (You must realize that this is the first time I have revealed this information, and it was a bit terrifying!)

Scintilla

2 years ago

Yeah, people tend to think that they have to be a jerk to someone just to be liked by everybody, just to be the center of attention. But you basically just have to respect to be respected. I mean like, seriously, even most movies show these kind of moral lessons. By the way, when I also revealed some events about my small experiences in this site, i was also terrified! But nothing is really to be terrified about :) (just don't give out personal infos!)